Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda visits Arua Diocese
“I was a stranger and they welcomed me into their home”
Between November 9th and 11th, 2024, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, paid a visit to different refugee ministries in Adjumani and Moyo Districts, within the Diocese of Arua, in northern Uganda.
Msgr. Fabio Baggio, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and Fr. Dumisani Vilakati, Regional Coordinator for Africa of the Listening and Dialogue Section of the Dicastery, accompanied the Nuncio during the visit.
The delegation visited the headquarters of the Vicariate for Refugees and Migrants of the Diocese of Arua, which hosts more than a million refugees from South Sudan. On Saturday 9th, they visited Bidibidi, one of the largest refugee settlement in the world. On Sunday 10th in the morning, they celebrated Mass in the settlement where the Scalabrinian Fathers and the Little Daughters of St. Joseph work. In the afternoon the visiting team was hosted at the MSC community house and held a meeting with 62 pastoral agents, both religious and lay, who work direclty with the regufees.
Pastoral agents working with refugees meeting with the delegation at the MSC community house
Msgr. Felix Darani, Coordinator of the Vicariate, presented the Congregations, and Fr. Kizito Jalango Oyimungu, secretary of the Vicariate, gave a report on the activities carried out with the refugees. Msgr. Baggio and Fr. Vilakati explained the role of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and the guidance they can give to the local churches in their pastoral ministries with the refugees.
Before leaving, on Monday 11th, the the Apostolic Nuncio celebrated the morning Mass at the MSC chapel. After breakfast, the delegation left for Rome, leaving an atmosphere of peace and God's grace.
(From left to right) Sr. Tigist, Nuncio L. Bianco, Msgr. F. Baggio, Sr. Albertina, Sr. Joseane, and Fr. D. Vilakati after the morning Mass at the MSC chapel
The Vicariate for Refugees and Migrants was established in 2016 by the Bishop of Arua, to provide pastoral and spiritual care to refugees and enhance peaceful coexistence among themselves and the host communities.
Since their arrival in Dzaipi, the MSC have collaborated with the Vicariate to provide direct care to refugees and host communities, as well as serving as members of the management commission.